…urges Adeleke to exercise restraint
By Lateef Ibrahim
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has cautioned Governor Ademola Adeleke against actions it believes could trigger renewed political tension at local government councils across the state.
The warning followed a recent statement by the Osun State Government alleging that some individuals were planning to cause disturbances at local government secretariats and motor parks in the aftermath of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The state APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, urged the governor to handle the security situation carefully and avoid using security concerns to intimidate political opponents or interfere with local government administration.
Lawal said any intelligence pointing to planned attacks on council secretariats or motor parks should be taken seriously, but insisted that such information must be formally handed over to security agencies for investigation.
He said the people of Osun needed security and stability rather than fear, intimidation or political persecution.
The APC chairman also called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to protect local government officials, council employees and other lawful occupants of council premises, regardless of their political affiliations.
According to him, APC-led Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) administrations currently occupy the council premises across the state, making the protection of those locations particularly important.
“Nobody should be attacked, intimidated or forcibly removed under the guise of political disagreement,” Lawal said.
He urged the police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other relevant agencies to increase security around local government secretariats, motor parks and other potentially vulnerable locations.
Lawal also expressed concern over what he described as the possibility of a repeat of the alleged treatment of Remi Abass, warning that political disagreements should not lead to the abuse of citizens or the deployment of state power against opponents.
He appealed to Adeleke to exercise restraint and govern the entire state, including residents who did not support him at the polls.
“Osun cannot afford another cycle of political violence. If the government has credible intelligence about plans to attack local government councils or motor parks, let it hand such intelligence over to the security agencies instead of using the allegation to create unnecessary tension,” he said.
The APC chairman further urged political actors to avoid inflammatory statements and resolve disagreements through dialogue, constitutional procedures and the courts where necessary.
He insisted that security agencies must remain politically neutral and professional, stressing that citizens’ safety should not depend on their political affiliation.
“Osun people are watching. This is the time for responsible leadership, not revenge politics. No political victory is worth the blood, freedom or property of any citizen,” Lawal added.
He also appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding while calling for stronger intelligence gathering, preventive security deployments and surveillance of sensitive locations.
Lawal maintained that security agencies should act on credible intelligence before violence occurs rather than waiting for incidents to escalate.
He ultimately called on all stakeholders to prioritise peace and stability, warning that Osun State could ill afford another cycle of political confrontation.
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